10 BEST TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN PORTLAND

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Craft beer, sustainability and a thriving art scene, Portland has a reputation as one of the USA’s hippest cities, and if you’ve visited before it’s easy to understand why.

From haunted ghost tours to Thai cooking classes, you’ll find no shortage of unique ways to bond with team members while exploring everything this bustling city has to offer.

If you’re planning a visit to Portland with your team sometime soon, keep reading for our breakdown of the best team building activities around!

Would you like to book any of these activities?

These team-building activities are available as part of our retreat package.

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Fill your appetite on a food tour

  • If you’re looking for a great alternative to a traditional team dinner, consider booking a food tour exploring some of Portland’s best eats.
  • This experience typically runs about three hours and provides an informal, fun and informative way to learn about Portland’s food history while filling up on fresh, local ingredients.
  • Your tour guide will offer a wealth of information not only on the city’s culinary scene but also the local culture, hotspots and valuable tips to keep in mind during your stay.
  • Remember to bring comfortable shoes for this experience as you’ll be doing quite a bit of walking!
  • This can be a more expensive team building experience but if you have the budget it’s a great way to mix-up team meals and learn a bit more about Portland!

Get creative with a craft workshop

  • Unleash your creative skills in a laid back atmosphere with a craft workshop.
  • Choose from a number of different projects and walk through a self-guided experience with team members as you make your very own masterpiece.
  • There’s even an option at some Portland facilities to drink wine, beer and cider on tap!
  • You’ll be provided with all the materials you’ll need from crafting supplies to aprons.  
  • While the experience itself allows for you and your team to work independently, there is onsite staff available to help accommodate any questions or concerns you may have throughout the activity. 

Test your problem-solving with an escape room

  • Escape rooms are a great space to work on problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills while having a blast solving a puzzle with team members against the clock. 
  • Typically you’ll have around one hour to solve the room but should you wish to extend your activity there’s always the option to do another puzzle afterwards!
  • Onsite staff will be available to answer any questions you may have and even walk you through the solution if you run out of time. 
  • Many facilities also change out their puzzles frequently making this a great option for both new and returning participants. 
  • Generally this is a pretty affordable activity and by adding additional rooms to your booking you can accommodate larger group sizes.

Get spooked on a ghost tour

  • Forget your traditional city walking tour and explore a new, haunted side of Portland with an evening ghost tour.
  • You’ll be taken through some of the most haunted spots in the lower 48 while learning all of the stories that make Portland one of the most haunted cities in America.
  • Tours typically range between 60 and 90 minutes in length making it a great activity to follow-up a team dinner.
  • Keep in mind that some tour groups ask that larger groups book at least one month in advance, so be sure to explore your options and reach out early if you’re working with a bigger team. 
  • For a good price this is a great way to learn a little more about Portland’s unique history while getting out and exploring the city.

Score a hole in one at mini golf

  • Mini golf offers a fun, accessible and laid back team building activity for groups looking to get outside, relax and unwind.
  • Many facilities offer options to snack and drink while you play (including beer from some great local Portland breweries). 
  • A lot of spots also have options to socialize outside of mini golf, with activities like cornhole and giant jenga and seating areas where you can continue the fun after you play.
  • Keep in mind some locations are closed during fall/winter seasons so check ahead of time if you’re visiting Portland outside the summer months. 
  • This is a pretty affordable team building experience and by breaking off into smaller groups it’s an awesome activity for teams of all sizes.

Enhance your culinary skills with a Thai cooking class

  • Learn a new dish, socialize with team members and practice your cooking skills through a Thai cooking class during your next visit to Portland. 
  • A trained, onsite chef will walk you through every step in preparing your dish from prepping ingredients to special techniques and tricks to perfect your kitchen skills.
  • Typically this workshop includes a three-course meal, so come hungry and prepared to be well fed!
  • The class lasts about 3-4 hours in total, including time at the end for you and your team members to sit down and enjoy your finished meal together. 
  • Generally this is a pretty affordable experience for groups of all sizes, especially when compared to other cooking classes. 

Explore the great beer corridor on a 15-person bike

  • What better way to explore Portland’s Great Beer Corridor than on a 15-person bicycle?
  • You and your team will get to check out a number of Portland’s best breweries, stopping for drinks as you cruise through the streets.
  • Typically this activity runs about 2.5-3 hours so plan for it to be a full afternoon experience.
  • Your bike will come with a driver who can help answer any questions while providing cool information on local history, culture and all the best sites in the city.
  • Generally this is a fairly affordable experience for small to medium-sized teams, just keep in mind that you’ll have to pay additionally for any drinks at the breweries you visit.

Test your aim at archery practice 

  • Work on your focus while building a unique new skill with coworkers by taking archery lessons! 
  • Typically this activity lasts 1-2 hours (although there’s always the option to book more time) and includes a 30-minute lesson where a trained instructor will walk you through all of the safety regulations and proper techniques
  • You’ll be provided with all the equipment you’ll need and some facilities even offer the option for you to bring outside food or drink so you can snack and socialize throughout your activity.
  • Keep track and see who can score the most points or organize a tournament to see which team member comes out on top with the best aim! 
  • This is a fairly low-cost team experience and is a great option for teams on a budget who are looking to try something new.

Reach new heights with a bouldering experience

  • Bouldering is a great activity if you’re looking to build trust, communication and collaboration skills with your team.
  • Most facilities are equipped with a number of different route options, accommodating climbing abilities from first-timers to advanced.
  • Staff members will demonstrate everything you need to know before you begin and then you can enjoy time with team members climbing freely for the remainder of your experience.
  • You’ll also be provided with all of the climbing equipment you need, just be sure to dress in comfortable clothing for physical activity.
  • This is a fairly budget-friendly experience and works well for both small and larger sized teams. 

Unwind with an axe throwing experience

  • Build a new skill, unwind with team members and engage in a little friendly competition with an axe throwing experience.
  • Typically these activities last 1-2 hours, but there is always the option to book more time should you wish to stay longer.
  • You’ll be provided with all the equipment you need as well as instructions on how to have a safe and fun experience. Just make sure to wear closed toe shoes! 
  • Onsite staff will take care of all the scoring and coordination of a tournament for you and your team so you can relax and enjoy. 
  • Some facilities even offer a mobile axe throwing option where they’ll bring all of the targets and axes directly to you.

Would you like to book any of these activities?

These team-building activities are available as part of our retreat package.

Get a quote

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USA and Canada